Information processing apparatus and method, and recording medium

ABSTRACT

The present invention is intended to control the reproduction, duplication, or charging of content recorded to a recording/reproducing apparatus using a storage-type medium. Storage control information includes data for controlling content recorded to a storage-type medium such as a hard disk drive. For example, if “0×01” is written to the first byte of this data and “0×MM” to the second byte, the content will be deleted when it has been reproduced MM times. If “0×22” is written to the first byte and “OxNN” to the third byte, the content will be deleted after the passing of NN days. If restrictions are set to both the reproduction count and the passing days, different pieces of storage control information are attached to the content; for example, content is deleted in accordance with the number of times the content is copied to another medium and charge discount setting is performed on the number of times the content is reproduced.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority from Japanese ApplicationNo. P2000-255425 filed Aug. 25, 2000, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an informationprocessing apparatus and method and a recording medium and, moreparticularly, to an information processing apparatus and method and arecording medium in which the broadcast data supply side attachescontrol information to each piece of content of the broadcast data to bestored in a storage-type medium of a receiver which records thebroadcast data, thereby setting limits to the length of time the contentcan be stored or the number of times the stored content can bereproduced or copied.

[0003] Recently, digital television broadcasts including BS(Broadcasting Satellite) have been gaining in popularity, broadcastingmany programs (content) as compared with groundbased broadcasts. Basedon this, it has become a general practice for recording/reproducingapparatuses to receive the digital broadcast data and record thereceived digital broadcast data to storage-type media represented by ahard disk, for example.

[0004] However, the regulations of BS digital television broadcasting donot allow the service providers to set conditions such as allowing thebroadcast content stored in storage-type media to be reproduced within apredetermined time period or by a predetermined number of times, forexample, even if the broadcast content has been purchased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide aninformation processing apparatus and method and a recording medium whichallow the broadcast data providing side to include control informationin each content of the broadcast data to be stored in a storage-typemedium of a receiver for receiving and storing the broadcast data,thereby setting restrictions on the storage period of time or thereproduction or copy count of the stored content.

[0006] In carrying out the invention and according to one aspectthereof, there is provided a first information processing apparatusincluding a first input controller operable to control the input offirst data to be multiplexed with content to be broadcast by digitalbroadcasting; a first generating unit operable to generate first controlinformation associated with the deletion of the content if the contentis received by a receiver and recorded to a storage-type recordingmedium; and an inserting unit operable to insert the first controlinformation into the first data.

[0007] The first control information may include a storable period oftime for storing the content.

[0008] The first control information may include the number of times thecontent can be reproduced.

[0009] The first control information may include the number of times thecontent can be copied.

[0010] The above-mentioned first information processing apparatus mayfurther include a second generating unit operable to generate secondcontrol information associated with the charging for the content on thebasis of a number of times the content can be reproduced if the contenthas been received by the receiver and recorded to the storage-typerecording medium, the inserting unit inserting the second controlinformation into the first data.

[0011] The above-mentioned first information processing apparatus mayfurther include a second input controller operable to control the inputof video data and audio data to be multiplexed with the content to bebroadcast by digital broadcasting; and a second generating unit operableto generate second data by multiplexing the first data inserted with thefirst control information with the video data and the audio data.

[0012] The second data may be an MPEG2 transport stream and the firstcontrol information may be inserted in an ECM section of the MPEG2transport stream.

[0013] The second data may be transmitted in a carousel manner and thefirst control information may be inserted in an adaptation header of aDII packet.

[0014] The second data may be transmitted in a carousel manner and thefirst control information may be inserted in an expire descriptor of aDII packet.

[0015] In carrying out the invention and according to another aspectthereof, there is provided a first information processing method. Themethod includes controlling the input of data to be multiplexed withcontent to be broadcast by digital broadcasting; generating controlinformation associated with the deletion of the content if the contentis received by a receiver and recorded to a storage-type recordingmedium; and inserting the control information into the data.

[0016] In carrying out the invention and according to still anotheraspect thereof, there is provided a recording medium recorded with acomputer-readable program for processing information. The programincludes controlling the input of data to be multiplexed with content tobe broadcast by digital broadcasting; generating control informationassociated with the deletion of the content if the content is receivedby a receiver and recorded to a storage-type recording medium; andinserting the control information into the data.

[0017] In carrying out the invention and according to yet another aspectthereof, there is provided a second information processing apparatusincluding a first acquiring unit operable to acquire a plurality ofpieces of content broadcast by digital broadcasting; a first recordingcontroller operable to control the recording of the plurality of piecesof content; a second acquiring unit operable to acquire first controlinformation associated with the deletion of content included in theplurality of pieces of content; a second recording controller operableto control the recording of the first control information; a selectoroperable to select, on the basis of the first control information, thecontent to be deleted from among the plurality of pieces of content; anda deletion controller operable to control the deletion of the contentselected by the selector.

[0018] The above-mentioned selector, if any of the plurality of piecesof content has been reproduced or copied to another recording medium,may select the content to be deleted from among the plurality of piecesof content.

[0019] The above-mentioned selector may select, at a predetermined timeinterval, the content to be deleted from among the plurality of piecesof content.

[0020] The above-mentioned first control information may include astorable period of time for the content.

[0021] The above-mentioned first control information may include anumber of times the content can be reproduced.

[0022] The above-mentioned first control information may include anumber of times the content can be copied.

[0023] The second information processing apparatus may further include athird acquiring unit operable to acquire second control informationassociated with the charging which is set on the basis of a number oftimes the content can be reproduced included in the content; a thirdrecording controller operable to control the recording of the secondcontrol information; and a charging unit operable to charge, on thebasis of the second control information, the reproduction of thecontent.

[0024] In carrying out the invention and according to a different aspectthereof, there is provided a second information processing method. Themethod includes acquiring a plurality of pieces of content broadcast bydigital broadcasting; controlling the recording of the plurality ofpieces of content; acquiring control information associated with thedeletion of content included in the plurality of pieces of content;controlling the recording of the control information; selecting, on thebasis of the control information, the content to be deleted from amongthe plurality of pieces of content; and controlling the deletion of thecontent selected in the selecting step.

[0025] In carrying out the invention and according to a still differentaspect thereof, there is provided a second recording medium recordedwith a computer-readable program for processing information. The programincludes acquiring a plurality of pieces of content broadcast by digitalbroadcasting; controlling the recording of the plurality of pieces ofcontent; acquiring first control information associated with thedeletion of content included in the plurality of pieces of content;controlling the recording of the first control information; selecting,on the basis of the first control information, the content to be deletedfrom among the plurality of pieces of content; and controlling thedeletion of the content selected in the selecting step.

[0026] As described and according to the first information processingapparatus and method and the program recorded in the recording mediumassociated with the invention, in the case where the input of data to bemultiplexed with content to be broadcast by digital broadcasting iscontrolled, the content is received by a receiver, and the receivedcontent is recorded to a storage-type recording medium, the controlinformation about the deletion of the content is generated and thegenerated control information is inserted in the data whose input iscontrolled. Consequently, this novel constitution can generate thecontrol information for restricting the storage period of time of thecontent recorded to a storage-type recording medium and the number oftimes the content is reproduced or copied.

[0027] As described and according to the second information processingapparatus and method and the program recorded in the recording mediumassociated with the invention, content broadcast by digital broadcastingis captured, the recording of the plural pieces of captured content iscontrolled, the control information associated with content deletionincluded in the captured content is captured, the recording of thecaptured control information is controlled, and, on the basis of thecontrol information, a piece of content to be deleted is selected fromamong the plural pieces of content, and the selected piece of content isdeleted. Consequently, the novel constitution can capture the broadcastdata containing the control information and, on the basis of thiscontrol information, prevent the content from being recorded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] These and other objects of the invention will be seen byreference to the description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

[0029]FIG. 1 is block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration ofan MPEG encoder;

[0030]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configurationof a storage control information generator;

[0031]FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing storage control information;

[0032]FIG. 4 is a graph for describing charge discounted content;

[0033]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary structure of MPEG-TSgenerated by the MPEG encoder shown in FIG. 1;

[0034]FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configurationof a receiver having a storage-type medium;

[0035]FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a content management databasestored in a flash ROM shown in FIG. 6;

[0036]FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing storage control informationgenerating processing;

[0037]FIG. 9 is a flowchart describing the processing by the receiver;

[0038]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a carousel scheme indata broadcasting;

[0039]FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing a DII packet to be transmittedby the carousel scheme;

[0040]FIG. 12 is a diagram for describing a DII packet to be transmittedby the carousel scheme;

[0041]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a DDB packet to be transmittedby the carousel scheme; and

[0042]FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing the additional identificationinformation area of a data coding descriptor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] This invention will be described in further detail by way ofexample with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] Now, referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagramillustrating an exemplary configuration of an MPEG (Motion PictureExperts Group) encoder 1 for generating a broadcast data stream in abroadcast station for broadcasting general television programs.

[0045] Video data and audio data, which are sources of a program streamand a data broadcast stream, are input in a video I/F (InterFace) 11, anaudio I/F 12, a video I/F 14 or an audio I/F 15 of an MPEG encoder 1.Data added to the program stream and the data broadcast stream is inputin a storage control information generator 2 to be described later inwhich the data is attached with storage control information to bedescribed later with reference to FIG. 3, the resultant data being inputin a data I/F 13 or a data I/F 16 of the MPEG encoder 1.

[0046] The data I/F 13 receives the data to be attached to the programstream from the storage control information generator 2 and outputs thisdata to a multiplexer 21. The I/F 16 receives the data to be attached tothe data broadcast stream from the storage control information generator2 and outputs this data to a multiplexer 22.

[0047] The video I/F 11 receives the video data, which is the source ofthe program stream, and outputs the video data to a video compressingblock 17. The audio I/F 12 receives the audio data, which is the sourceof the program stream, and outputs the audio data to an audiocompressing block 18. The video I/F 14 receives the video data, which isthe source of the data broadcast stream, and outputs the video data to avideo compressing block 19. The audio I/F 15 receives the audio data,which is the source of the data broadcast stream, and outputs the audiodata to an audio compressing block 20.

[0048] The video compressing block 17 and the audio compressing block 19encode and compress the input video data by MPEG. The audio compressingblock 18 and the audio compressing block 20 encode and compress theinput audio data. The multiplexer 21 and the multiplexer 22 receive thecompressed video data, the compressed audio data, and the data inputfrom the data I/F 13 or the data I/F 16 and multiplex these data,outputting the multiplexed data to a secondary multiplexer 24.

[0049] A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 23 controls the multiplexer 21and the multiplexer 22 on the basis of the various commands input by themanager of the MPEG encoder 1 through an input section, not shown, andthe control signals input from another personal computer, not shown, forexample and, receiving the bit rate information of the encoded streamfrom the multiplexer 21 and the multiplexer 22, controls the secondarymultiplexer. Also, on the basis of a control signal input from an inputsection, not shown, the CPU 23 generates a control signal for specifyingthe attachment of key information and charge information to eachcontent, outputting the generated control signal to a secondary CAS(Conditional Access System) 25.

[0050] In accordance with the control signal input from the CPU 23, thesecondary multiplexer 24 multiplexes the data multiplexed by themultiplexer 21 and the multiplexer 22 and outputs the resultant data tothe secondary CAS 25 as MPEG-TS (Transport Stream) data.

[0051] In accordance with a control signal input from the CPU 23, thesecondary CAS attaches each content (program) multiplexed in thesecondary multiplexer 24 with the first key information for restrictingthe access right for each content and charge information and outputs theresultant content to a primary CAS 26. The access right for each contentrestricted by the key attached by the secondary CAS 25 is set in orderto restrict pay content and content for adults for example. Some kindsof content are not attached with the key information in the secondaryCAS.

[0052] The primary CAS attaches secondary key information to the entireinput data stream and outputs the resultant data stream to an MPEG-TSbuffer 27. The MPEG-TS buffer 27 buffers the input MPEG-TS and outputsit to a transmitter, not shown, in a predetermined timed relation. TheMPEG-TS input in the transmitter, not shown, is modulated by apredetermined modulation scheme to be broadcast to each home via acommunication satellite, not shown.

[0053] The present description is made by use of the MPEG encoder 1 asan example for multiplexing a program stream and a data broadcaststream. It will be apparent that a plurality of streams can bemultiplexed by adding corresponding blocks to the MPEG encoder 1.

[0054] Now, referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a block diagramillustrating an exemplary configuration of the storage controlinformation generator 2.

[0055] A CPU 31 generates storage control information to be describedlater with reference to FIG. 3 on the basis of a signal input from aninput section 34 via an internal bus 32 and attaches the generatedstorage control information to the data input via a data interface 33and the internal bus 32, outputting the resultant data to an MPEGencoder 1 via the internal bus 32 and the data interface 33. The inputsection 34 may be a keyboard for example from which an operator caninput various commands or an input/output interface which can receivethe controls signals from a personal computer, not shown.

[0056] A ROM (Read Only Memory) 35 stores basically fixed data among theprograms and computation parameters for use by the CPU 31. A RAM (RandomAccess Memory) 36 stores the programs for use in the execution of theCPU 31 and the parameters which change from time to time in thisexecution. The CPU 31, the ROM 35, the data interface 33, the inputsection 34, and the RAM 36 are interconnected by the internal bus 32.

[0057] The internal bus is also connected to a drive 37 which is loadedwith a magnetic disc 41, an optical disc 42, a magneto-optical disc 43,or a semiconductor memory 44 as required for data transfer.

[0058] The CPU 31 receives the data to be added to a program stream anda data broadcast stream via the data interface 33 and the internal bus32 and generates storage control information in accordance with acontrol signal input from the input section 34 via the internal bus 32.When the content in a broadcast stream generated by the MPEG encoder 1is received by a receiver 51 to be described later with reference toFIG. 6 and is stored in a storage-type medium (for example, a hard diskdrive HDD 68 shown in FIG. 6), the storage control information restrictsthe storage period of time of the content or the number of times thecontent is reproduced or copied or changes the charge in accordance withthe number of times the content is reproduced. The storage controlinformation is 3 bytes wide for example, a first byte being indicativeof the contents of control, a second byte being indicative of the numberof times the content is reproduced, and a third byte being indicative ofthe number of days, for example.

[0059] To the content which will be deleted after the reproduction by apredetermined count, the storage control information is added in which“0×01” indicative that this content will be deleted according to thereproduction count is written to the first byte and “0×MM” (MM being thecount) indicative of the number of times the content can be reproducedis written to the second byte, for example.

[0060] To the content which will be deleted after the predeterminednumber of days have passed, the storage control information is added inwhich “0×01” indicative that this content will be deleted in accordancewith the predetermined number of passed days is written to the firstbyte and “0×NN” (NN being the number of days) indicative of the numberof days from the recording to the deletion of this content is written tothe second byte, for example.

[0061] To the content which will be deleted when the reproduction countor the number of passed days has been reached, whichever is earlier, thestorage control information is added in which “0×03” indicative thatthis content will be deleted when the reproduction count or the numberof passed days has been reached, whichever is earlier, is written to thefirst byte, “0×MM” (MM being the count) indicative of the number oftimes this content can be reproduced is written to the second byte, and“0×NN” (NN being the number of days) indicative of the number of days iswritten to the third byte, for example.

[0062] When the data has been copied to another medium, the content willbe deleted in accordance with the number of copy made, and the storagecontrol information is added to the content, for example, “0×04”indicating that this content will be deleted in accordance with the copycount is described in the first byte, and “0×MM” (MM being the count)indicating a copyable count is described in the second byte. Obviously,setting MM to 1 allows the moving of data from a storage-type medium butdisallows the copying thereof.

[0063] In addition to the information specifying the conditionsassociated with content deletion, the storage control information mayinclude information for specifying charge-discounted content. Thecharge-discounted content denotes a particular piece of content of whichcharge is discounted as the number of times it is copied increases. Inthe storage control information to be attached to charge-discountedcontent, “0×1−” (“−” depends on the information for restricting contentdeletion) indicative that this content is charge-discounted content iswritten to the first byte.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4, in charge-discounted content, a relationshipbetween reproduction count n and the amount of charge for the n-thviewing is set to y/2n, where y is an amount of charge (a normal amountof charge) for the first viewing of content. Consequently, in thereceiver 51 to be described with reference to FIG. 6, if a user of thereceiver 51, namely the content viewer, records charge-discountedcontent to a storage-type medium (for example, the hard disk drive 68shown in FIG. 6) and reproduces it multiple times for viewing, theamount of charge for each viewing is discounted from the normal amountof charge every time the content is viewed.

[0065] In addition, when providing restrictions for content deletion,the storage control information corresponding to these restrictions maybe generated and added to the content concerned. Consequently, in thereceiver 51 shown in FIG. 6, a decision may be made whether to deletecontent or not by referencing the storage control information attachedto the content.

[0066] Then, the CPU 31 inserts the generated storage controlinformation into the input data, outputs the data to be multiplexed withthe program stream to the data I/F 13 of the MPEG encoder, and outputsthe data to be multiplexed with the data broadcast stream to the dataI/F 16 of the MPEG encoder 1.

[0067] The data including the storage control information input in thedata I/F 13 is input in the multiplexer 21 to be multiplexed with thevideo data encoded and compressed by MPEG in the video compressing block17 and the audio data encoded and compressed in the audio compressingblock 18. Likewise, the data including the storage control informationinput in the data I/F 16 is input in the multiplexer 22 to bemultiplexed with the video data encoded and compressed by MPEG in thevideo compressing block 19 and the audio data encoded and compressed inthe audio compressing block 20. The multiplexed program stream and databroadcast stream are further multiplexed in the secondary multiplexer24, the resultant stream is added with key information (namely,scrambled) in the secondary CAS 25 and the primary CAS 26, and theresultant stream is outputted to the transmitter, not shown, via theMPEG-TS buffer 27 to be broadcasted.

[0068]FIG. 5 shows an exemplary structure of an MPEG2-TS to be generatedby the MPEG encoder 1. In the MPEG2-TS, video data, audio data, ECM(Entitlement Control Message (key common information)), and EMM(Entitlement Management Message (key individual information)) aremultiplexed.

[0069] ECM and EMM are not directly input in the MPEG encoder 1; theyare input in the storage control information generator 2. ECM isinformation for decrypting encrypted information. EMM is information forsetting, for each receiver, such parameters as customer management,changing of encryption keys, and permission of viewing.

[0070] A TS-ECM packet is information for defining the attribute of theMPEG2-TS having PID (Packet Identifier) to be specified in this packet.One TS-ECM packet is 188 bytes wide and constituted by a 5-byte header,a variable-length ECM section, and stuffing bytes, which are dummy bytesfor making uniform the lengths of packets.

[0071] The ECM section is constituted by an 8-byte ECM section header,an ECM body, and a 4-byte CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check), which is signdata for error detection. The ECM body is constituted by a fixed part of26-byte fixed data, a variable part in which various functionalinformation can be arranged, and a 4-byte tamper detecting part, whichis a code for checking the ECM body for any tamper.

[0072] The ECM fixed part contains data consisting of attribute datadefined by ARIB (Association of Radio Industries and Business) STD-B25.The fixed part contains protocol number, pay business identificationinformation, work key identification information, odd and even scramblekeys, decision type information, date and time information, andrecording control information.

[0073] The protocol number is 1-byte data for processing commoninformation. The pay business identification information is a 1-bytecode for identifying a business body in pay broadcast operation andspecifies individual information to be referenced along with the workkey identification information. The work key identification informationis 1-byte data for specifying a work key for decrypting commoninformation. The odd and even scramble keys are each 8-byte data. Thedecision type information 1-byte data indicative whether the informationconcerned is free of charge or PPV (Pay Per View) for example. The dateand time information is 5-byte data indicative of the date and time foruse in the decision of viewing. The recording control information is1-byte data indicative of recording conditions (for example, recordingenabled or disabled or recording enabled only for purchaser) for theprogram concerned.

[0074] In the ECM variable part, various functional data (attributedata), which are not arranged in the fixed part, can be arranged. Thestorage control information generated in the storage control informationgenerator 2 is attached to the variable part.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a block diagram illustratingan exemplary configuration of the receiver 51 which receives programs(namely, content) broadcast by digital television broadcasting andrecords the received programs to a storage-type medium (in this example,the hard disk drive 68)

[0076] A tuner 61 receives an MPEG-TS generated by the MPEG encoder 1described with reference to FIG. 1 via a BS antenna, not shown, convertsthe received MPEG-TS into baseband, and outputs the resultant signal toa digital demodulator 62. The digital demodulator 62 digitallydemodulates the signal received from the tuner 61 in accordance with apredetermined scheme and outputs the resultant signal to an errorcorrection circuit 63. The error correction circuit 63 performs errorcorrection on the demodulated data received from the digital demodulator62 and outputs the corrected data to a demultiplexer 64.

[0077] The demultiplexer 64 extracts the data of a channel desired bythe viewer from the error-corrected stream and outputs the stream to aprimary CAS 65. The primary CAS 65 descrambles (namely, decrypts) thefirst key which is locking the entire stream. The first key for use indecoding in the primary CAS 65 is stored in an IC card 52 beforehand andis input in the primary CAS 65 via an IC card I/F 70 and a system bus66.

[0078] If the recording of the received content to the hard disk drive68 is instructed by the viewer, the hard disk drive 68 receives thecontent from the primary CAS 65 via the system bus 66 and records thereceived content. A CPU 67 registers the data necessary for the storagecontrol of the content to be recorded to the hard disk drive 68 with acontent management database in a flash ROM 69 shown in FIG. 7 on thebasis of the data written to the ECM and EMM of the content to berecorded.

[0079] FAT (File Allocation Table) of the content management databaseindicates at which location on the hard disk drive 68 the contentconcerned is recorded. Service ID is a content-unique ID. ECM fixed partattribute data is recorded in the ECM fixed part described withreference to FIG. 5. ECM variable attribute data is recorded in the ECMvariable part described with reference to FIG. 5 and includes thestorage control information described with reference to FIG. 3. EMMattribute data is recorded in the EMM described with reference to FIG.5.

[0080] Information other than the various information shown in FIG. 7may be registered with the content management database.

[0081] If the realtime outputting of the received content is instructedby the viewer or if the reproduction of content stored in the hard diskdrive 68 is instructed by the viewer, a secondary CAS 71 receives thecontent from the primary CAS 65 or the hard disk drive 68 via the systembus 66 and descrambles (namely, decrypts) a second key locking eachcontent. By use of a descramble key owned by itself or input from amobile phone module 74, the secondary CAS 71 descramble the second keyfor each content and outputs the descrambled content to an MPEG decoder72. At the same time, the secondary CAS 71 reads the charge informationfor each content and outputs the charge information to the CPU 67.

[0082] The mobile phone module 74 communicates with a nearby basestation via an antenna, not shown, to connect to a predeterminedauthentication server, retrieves a key necessary for descrambling eachcontent for use in the descrambling by the secondary CAS 71, and outputsthe retrieved key to the secondary CAS 71 via the system bus 66.

[0083] The MPEG decoder 72 decodes the data supplied from the secondaryCAS 71 and outputs an obtained video signal to an OSD (On ScreenDisplay) circuit 73 and an obtained audio signal to a speaker forexample, not shown. the OSD circuit 73, controlled by the CPU 67,multiplexes a video signal such as text with the video signal input fromthe MPEG decoder 72, and outputs the resultant signal to a monitor, notshown, as a synthesized video signal.

[0084] The system bus 66 is also connected to a drive 75 in which amagnetic disc 81, an optical disc 82, a magneto-optical disc 83, or asemiconductor memory 84 is loaded as required for data transfer.

[0085] The following describes, with reference to the flowchart shown inFIG. 8, storage control information generating processing to be executedby the storage control information generator 2 described with referenceto FIG. 2.

[0086] In step S1, the CPU 31 sets the storage control information to beinserted in predetermined content input via the data interface 33 andthe internal bus 32 to initial values 0×00, 0×00, 0×00.

[0087] In step S2, if the content concerned has been received by thereceiver 51 shown in FIG. 6 and stored in a storage-type medium (forexample, the hard disk drive 68 shown in FIG. 6), the CPU 31 determines,on the basis of a signal input from the input block 34 via the internalbus 32, whether this content has been instructed to set the storagecontrol information so that this content will be deleted after thepredetermined number of reproduction times.

[0088] If this setting is not found instructed in step S2, then theprocedure goes to step S4. If this setting is found instructed in stepS2, then the CPU 31 sets the least significant bit of the first byte ofthe storage control information to “1” in step S3.

[0089] In this example, if the least significant bit of the first byteis set to “1” as an example of setting the storage control information,the content concerned will be deleted in the receiver 51 after thepredetermined number of reproduction times. However, the storage controlinformation setting is not limited to this method. Any other methods maybe used (this holds with the following descriptions).

[0090] If the setting is not found instructed in step S2 or, after thecompletion of step S3, if the content concerned has been copied from thestorage-type medium to another medium by the predetermined number oftimes, the CPU 31 determines whether the setting of the storage controlinformation has been instructed so that the original content will bedeleted from the storage-type medium on the basis of a signal input fromthe input block 34 via the internal bus 32.

[0091] In step S4, if the content concerned has been copied by thepredetermined number of times and the original content in thestorage-type medium is not found instructed for deletion, the proceduregoes to step S6. If the content concerned has been copied by thepredetermined number of times and the original content in thestorage-type medium is found instructed for deletion in step S4, thenthe CPU 31 sets the third least significant bit of the first byte of thestorage control information to “1” in step S5.

[0092] In step S4, if the content concerned has been copied by thepredetermined number of times and the original content in thestorage-type medium is not found instructed for deletion or, after thecompletion of step S5, the CPU 31 determines, in step S6, on the basisof a signal input from the input block 34 via the internal bus 32whether the setting of the storage control information has beeninstructed so that the content concerned has the specification of areproducible period.

[0093] In step S6, if the specification is not found instructed, theprocedure goes to step S8. If the specification is found instructed,then, the CPU 31 sets the second least significant bit of the first byteof the storage control information to “1” in step S7.

[0094] Namely, in case that the content concerned has both therestrictions of the number of reproducible times and the reproducibleperiod of time, then the least significant bit and second leastsignificant bit of the first byte of the storage control information areset to “1.”

[0095] If the specification is not found instructed in step S6 or, aftercompletion of the process of step S7, the CPU 31 sets in step s8, on thebasis of a signal input from the input block 34 via the internal bus 32,sets the number of reproducible or copyable times to the second byte andthe storage period of time (the number of days or hours) to the thirdbyte of the storage control information.

[0096] In step S9, the CPU 31 determines on the basis of a signal inputfrom the input block 34 via the internal bus 31 whether the setting ofthe storage control information has been instructed so that the chargefor the content concerned will discounted after it is reproducedmultiple times.

[0097] If the setting of discount charge is not found instructed in stepS9, the processing comes to an end. If the setting is found instructedin step S9, then the CPU 31 sets the fourth least significant bit of thefirst byte of the storage control information to “1” in step S10, uponwhich the processing comes to an end.

[0098] The CPU 31 adds the storage control information generated by theprocessing described with reference to FIG. 8 to the data which ismultiplexed with the MPEG-TS for transmission and outputs the resultantdata to the data I/F 13 or the data I/F 16 described with reference toFIG. 1 via the internal bus 32 and the data interface 33. The storagecontrol information is inserted into the ECM variable part of theMPEG-TS generated by the MPEG encoder 1 as described with reference toFIG. 5.

[0099] The following describes the processing to be executed by thereceiver 51 with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9.

[0100] If file management processing to be executed at a predeterminedtime interval (for example, once a day) has been executed or if contentstored in the hard disk drive 68 has been reproduced or copied toanother medium, the CPU 67 reads, in step S21, storage controlinformation from the ECM variable part registered with the contentmanagement database in the flash ROM 69 described with reference to FIG.7 via the system bus 66.

[0101] In step S22, the CPU 67 determines on the basis of the storagecontrol information retrieved in step S21 and a time stamp included inthe content recorded in the hard disk drive 68 whether there exists anycontent in excess of the specification of reproducible period of time.

[0102] If content exceeding the specification of reproducible period oftime is found in step S22, the procedure goes to step S33. If no suchcontent is found, then the CPU 67 determines in step S23 whether acontent reproducing process has been executed or not.

[0103] If the content reproducing process has not been executed in stepS23, the procedure goes to step S29. If the content reproducing processhas been executed in step S23, then the CPU 67 determines in step S24whether the reproduced content exceeds the specification of reproduciblecount after reproduction MM (namely, whether reproducible count writtento the second byte of the storage control information of the content inthe content management database becomes 0 or not) on the basis of thestorage control information retrieved in step S21.

[0104] If the reproduced content is found, in step S24, exceeding thespecification of reproducible count after reproduction, the proceduregoes to step S33. If the reproduced content is not found exceeding thereproducible count, then, in step S25, the CPU 67 sets reproduciblecount MM written to the second byte of the storage control informationof the content in the content management database to −1.

[0105] In step S26, the CPU 67 determines on the basis of the storagecontrol information retrieved in step S21 whether the reproduced contentis charge-discount content or not.

[0106] If, in step S26, the content is found chargediscount content,then, in step S27, the CPU 67 computes a discounted charge by thepredetermined method described with reference to FIG. 4, for example.

[0107] If, in step S26, the content is fount not charge-discountedcontent, then, in step S28, the CPU 67 computes the normal charge forthe reproduction.

[0108] The data indicative of the result of the charge computation instep S27 or S28 is transmitted to a charge sever for example, not shown,via the system bus 66, the mobile phone module 74, an antenna, notshown, and a public switched phone network, not shown. This data may betransmitted every time the charge computation processing takes place forexample or at a predetermined internal such as every day, every week, orevery month for example.

[0109] If, in step S23, the content producing process is not foundexecuted, then, after the end of step S27 or S28, the CPU 67 determinesin step S29 whether the content has been copied or not.

[0110] If the content found in step S29 is not copied, the processingcomes to an end. If the content is found copied, then, in step S30, theCPU 67 computes the charge for the copying of the content. As with stepS27 or S28, the data indicative of the result of the charge computationis also transmitted to a charge server for example, not shown, via thesystem bus 66, the mobile phone module 74, an antenna, not shown, and apublic phone network, not shown.

[0111] In step S31, the CPU 67 determines on the basis of the storagecontrol information retrieved in step S21 whether the copied contentexceeds the specification of copyable count after the copying (namely,whether the copyable count MM written to the second byte of the storagecontrol information of the content in the content management databasebecomes 0 or not).

[0112] If, in step S31, the copied content is found exceeding thespecification of copyable count after the copying, then, in step S32,the CPU 67 sets the copyable count MM written to the second byte of thestorage control information of the content in the content managementdatabase to −1.

[0113] If, in step S22, there exists any content in excess of thespecification of reproducible period of time, if, in step S24, thereproduced content is found exceeding the specification of reproduciblecount after the reproduction, or if, in step S31, the copied content isfound exceeding the specification of copyable count after the copying,then the CPU 67 deletes the corresponding content from the hard diskdrive 68 in step S33, upon which the processing comes to an end.

[0114] In the above-mentioned example, content is recorded in thereceiver 51 for receiving digital broadcast and the above-mentionedprocessing is executed in the same receiver 51. It is also practicableto receive digital broadcast, record content, and execute the processingin respectively separate apparatuses.

[0115] Described above is the processing for transferring stream data byattaching storage control information to the ECM variable part of theECM section described with reference to FIG. 5. In data broadcasttransfer in which data blocks are transmitted in a carousel manner, eachdata block to which storage control information is attached differs fromthat described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0116] The following describes the data transmission based on a carouselmethod with reference to FIGS. 10 through 13.

[0117] In the carousel method, the transmitting side transmits aplurality of data, which are selectively received by the receiving sideat necessary times. As shown in FIG. 10, DII (Download Info Indications)packets and DDB (Download Data Block) packets are repeatedly transmittedin a certain period of time like a carousel (or a merry-go-round). Ascript describing a display method of the transmitted data and theinformation about the link between data has a byte-code form.

[0118] Each DII packet is 4 KB wide as shown in FIG. 11 and constitutedby a section header, a message header, a plurality of unit informationvariable part to which other control data is written, and a CRC fordetecting a bit error in transmission.

[0119] A Dsmcc (Digital Storage Media-Command and Control) messageheader part is constituted by predetermined data such as a protocoldiscriminator, a data length, and adaptation header. The storage controlinformation described with reference to FIG. 3 is inserted in thebeginning of the adaptation header by use of the data specified by typenumber

[0120] As shown in FIG. 12, a module information area (Module Info Byte)of the unit information variable part is constituted by predetermineddata such as a descriptor tag for determining an expire descriptor, adescriptor length indicative of data length, a time mode, and a datapart. The storage control information described with reference to FIG. 3may be inserted in the data part of 40 bytes long specified by time mode0×02 for example.

[0121] Each DDB packet for transmitting the data corresponding to thecontent part of data broadcast is 4 KB wide as shown in FIG. 13 andconstituted by a header, a module ID unique to this packet module,version information of this module, a block number, and a data payloadwhich is a collection of data each being 8 bits wide.

[0122] In the receiver 51 described with reference to FIG. 6, if thestart data of the header part is 0×11031003, this data is recognized asthe data of data broadcast and is processed in the same manner asdescribed above. In data broadcast, the data equivalent to one page orone piece of content of data broadcast is transmitted in a data amountof about 1 MB in the carousel method described with reference to FIG.10. If the data to be transmitted exceeds 1 MB, a plurality of modulesare inserted in one carousel for transmission.

[0123] In addition to the above-mentioned data structures, the likestorage control information may be inserted in data which is transmittedon the basis of a markup language standard used in BS digital databroadcast called BML (Broadcasting Markup Language). In this case, thestorage control information is inserted in “Reserved future use” in thedata structure of additional identification information area (additionalarib bxml info()) of a data coding descriptor shown in FIG. 14.

[0124] The above-mentioned sequences of processes can be executed byhardware or software. The execution by software is supported by acomputer in which the programs constituting the software are installedin a dedicated hardware device beforehand or by a general-purposepersonal computer capable of executing various capabilities in whichthese programs are installed from a network or a recording medium.

[0125] The recording medium may be a package medium constituted by themagnetic disk 41 or 81 (including floppy disk), the optical disc 42 or82 (including CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) and DVD (DigitalVersatile Disc)), the magneto-optical disk 43 or 83 (including MD (MiniDisk)), or the semiconductor memory 44 or 84 shown in FIG. 2 or 6 forproviding computer programs separated from computers.

[0126] It should be noted that the steps describing the programs to bestored in the program storage medium are not only executed in atime-dependent manner, but also in parallel or in a discrete manner.

[0127] As described and according to the first information processingapparatus and method and the program recorded in the recording mediumassociated with the invention, in the case where the inputting of datato be multiplexed with content to be broadcasted in digital broadcastingis controlled, the content is received by a receiver, and the receivedcontent is recorded to a storage-type recording medium, the controlinformation about the deletion of the content is generated and thegenerated control information is inserted in the data of which inputtingis controlled. Consequently, this novel constitution can generate thecontrol information for restricting the storage period of time of thecontent recorded to a storage-type recording medium and the number oftimes the content is reproduced or copied.

[0128] As described and according to the second information processingapparatus and method and the program recorded in the recording mediumassociated with the invention, content broadcast in digital broadcastingis captured, the recording of the plural pieces of captured content iscontrolled, the control information associated with content deletionincluded in the captured content is captured, the recording of thecaptured control information is controlled, and, on the basis of thecontrol information, a piece of content to be deleted is selected fromamong the plural pieces of content, and the selected piece of content isdeleted. Consequently, the novel constitution can capture the broadcastdata containing the control information and, on the basis of thiscontrol information, prevent the content from being recorded.

[0129] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention havebeen described using specific terms, such description is forillustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes andvariations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of theappended claims.

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a first inputcontroller operable to control the input of first data to be multiplexedwith content to be broadcast by digital broadcasting; a first generatingunit operable to generate first control information associated with thedeletion of said content if said content is received by a receiver andrecorded to a storage-type recording medium; and an inserting unitoperable to insert said first control information into said first data.2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid first control information includes a storable period of time forstoring said content.
 3. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein said first control information includes a number oftimes said content can be reproduced.
 4. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first control informationincludes a number of times said content can be copied.
 5. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a second generating unit operable to generate second controlinformation associated with the charging for said content on the basisof a number of times said content can be reproduced if said content hasbeen received by said receiver and recorded to said storage-typerecording medium; wherein said inserting unit inserts said secondcontrol information into said first data.
 6. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second inputcontroller operable to control the input of video data and audio data tobe multiplexed with said content to be broadcast by digitalbroadcasting; and a second generating unit operable to generate seconddata by multiplexing said first data inserted with said first controlinformation with said video data and said audio data.
 7. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said second data isan MPEG2 (Motion Picture Experts Group 2) transport stream and saidfirst control information is inserted in an ECM (Entitlement ControlMessage) section of said MPEG2 transport stream.
 8. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said second data istransmitted in a carousel manner and said first control information isinserted in an adaptation header of a DII (Download Info Indication)packet.
 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,wherein said second data is transmitted in a carousel manner and saidfirst control information is inserted in an expire descriptor of a DIIpacket.
 10. An information processing method, comprising: controllingthe input of data to be multiplexed with content to be broadcast bydigital broadcasting; generating control information associated with thedeletion of said content if said content is received by a receiver andrecorded to a storage-type recording medium; and inserting said controlinformation into said data.
 11. A recording medium recorded with acomputer-readable program for processing information, said programcomprising: controlling the input of data to be multiplexed with contentto be broadcast by digital broadcasting; generating control informationassociated with the deletion of said content if said content is receivedby a receiver and recorded to a storage-type recording medium; andinserting said control information into said data.
 12. An informationprocessing apparatus, comprising: a first acquiring unit operable toacquire a plurality of pieces of content broadcast by digitalbroadcasting; a first recording controller operable to control therecording of said plurality of pieces of content; a second acquiringunit operable to acquire first control information associated with thedeletion of content included in said plurality of pieces of content; asecond recording controller operable to control the recording of saidfirst control information; a selector operable to select, on the basisof said first control information, said content to be deleted from amongsaid plurality of pieces of content; and a deletion controller operableto control the deletion of said content selected by said selector. 13.The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein saidselector, if any of said plurality of pieces of content has beenreproduced or copied to another recording medium, selects said contentto be deleted from among said plurality of pieces of content.
 14. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein saidselector selects, at a predetermined time interval, said content to bedeleted from among said plurality of pieces of content.
 15. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein saidfirst control information includes a storable period of time for saidcontent.
 16. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12,wherein said first control information includes a number of times saidcontent can be reproduced.
 17. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein said first control information includes anumber of times said content can be copied.
 18. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a thirdacquiring unit operable to acquire second control information associatedwith the charging which is set on the basis of a number of times saidcontent can be reproduced included in said content; a third recordingcontroller operable to control the recording of said second controlinformation; and a charging unit operable to charge, on the basis ofsaid second control information, the reproduction of said content. 19.An information processing method, comprising: acquiring a plurality ofpieces of content broadcast by digital broadcasting; controlling therecording of said plurality of pieces of content; acquiring controlinformation associated with the deletion of content included in saidplurality of pieces of content; controlling the recording of saidcontrol information; selecting, on the basis of said controlinformation, said content to be deleted from among said plurality ofpieces of content; and controlling the deletion of said content selectedin said selecting step.
 20. A recording medium recorded with acomputerreadable program for processing information, said programcomprising: acquiring a plurality of pieces of content broadcast bydigital broadcasting; controlling the recording of said plurality ofpieces of content; acquiring first control information associated withthe deletion of content included in said plurality of pieces of content;controlling the recording of said control information; selecting, on thebasis of said control information, said content to be deleted from amongsaid plurality of pieces of content; and controlling the deletion ofsaid content selected in said selecting step.